Posted on 03/16/2021 5:30:13 PM PDT by nickcarraway
New Jersey is a wonderfully diverse place. Though a relatively small state, it has the highest population density in the U.S. It's also brimming with an immense amount of Italian-American residents.
I'm half-Italian, but I didn't grow up speaking a lick of the mellifluous tongue. From pizza and pasta to "The Sopranos," I was raised in a place where the notion of Italy is celebrated. However, it took me some time to note that this was not Italian culture, per se, but a slightly different "sect" altogether — an Italian-American history and culture that's rich in and of itself.
It wasn't until culinary school that I began to embrace all that the Italian-American experience has to offer, which is so much more than chicken parm. From bolognese and gnocchi to caponata and fennel, the breadth of Italian-American cuisine began to come into full view, and I've been eager to learn and consume as much as possible about the storied culture's food and history ever since. (It also didn't hurt that I have a killer Italian accent.)
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Too many people judge NJ by the towns that hug the turnpike, ie the chemical corridor. Its an amazingly diverse state considering its small size in terms of geography, race/ethnicity, relative quality of life, etc. The politics suck all over and even most of “South Jersey” is dominated by Dems and “Iggles” fans (Cape May County being the exception to the former).
Here’s how I learned how to say it from an Italian boyfriend who said gravy for sauce: Svoyatell. Bet that’s wrong, lol! We used to get them at Ferrara’s in Little Italy. So light and flaky! Can still hear that crunch from the first bite.
It's not settled science! Here's a researched discussion:
Sauce or Gravy? The Secret, Fervent Debate at the Heart of the Italian American Spaghetti Dinner
What makes it extra special is when you add ground up sausage into the sauce, serve it up in a bowl and then sprinkle some Romano and crushed red pepper. Great cold weather comfort food (Italian-style).
When you hear that, run for the hills. You’re in the wrong place f you want authentic Italian food. And I’m from NJ, too.
Are you talking about the pastry? My grandfather pronounced it spool yadell
Yes and yes that is about how I've heard it pronounced.
My grandfather was a napola-don (;>}
My grandparents on one side were born in Sicily.
I’m part Italian and part Irish and today is St. Paddie’s Day. But you will not catch me eating an Irish meal today (or virtually any day). Probably have some ravioli or something. I can shake some parsley flakes on top for the “wearin’ of the green” look, I guess.
You evidently didn’t see my town —— Gas lamps, woods, trees, a river, GREAT schools. Nice place. You gotta problem with that??
You left out “Great government”!
In Brooklyn we called it gravy. Once we moved to Long Island, it became sauce.
Capicola
I can still hear my grandmother's voice "mangia, mangia!"...all 98 pounds of her...
That sounds amazing! Thanks!
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